GRASSROOTS COMMUNITY SOCCER

Active for Life Soccer Guide

Technical Department Contacts:
 THE ALBERTA
SOCCER
ASSOCIATION
Shaun Lowther
Technical Director
9023-111 Avenue
techdir@albertasoccer.com
780.288.6936

Edmonton AB T5B 0C3

Toll Free: 866.250.2200

Ian Skitch John Clubb

Provincial Coach North Provincial Coach South Office: 780.474.2200
northcoach@albertasoccer.com southcoach@albertasoccer.com
780.378.8103 587.435.5611

Fax: 780.474.6300

Web: albertasoccer.com

Mission Statement:

The ASA Technical Department seeks to promote personal development

and well-being through the provision of soccer participation
opportunities for all within Alberta. The sport of soccer provides a
lifetime of opportunities for players, parents, coaches, officials and
administrators: the ASA Technical Department seeks to provide
guidance and support to all those wishing to embrace the sport that
has become the World’s Game.

Grassroots Community Soccer: Active for Life Soccer Guide 2

INTRODUCTION
The sport of Soccer has evolved to proudly boast itself as the World’s Game. However in order for any sport to
grow, it must provide a vibrant and active entry level of performance: The Grassroots of Sport.

The game of soccer has developed over the years and is presented in many different formats and name
adaptations today. Some of these adaptations are for better and some a twist on an existing theme. This
document aims to provide an insight and guidance on “The Alberta Way”. A game plan to take the sport of
soccer forward in Alberta for all those involved.

As the governing body for soccer in Alberta, ASA holds responsibility for developing and administrating the game
at all levels. The technical coaching team has specific responsibility for nurturing the development of coach and
player pathways.

Presented on the ASA website are a series of informational documents to support your understanding and
development as a player, coach or parent/guardian supporter of grassroots soccer. The goal is to offer a series
of practical informational documents to support your enjoyment and experience within soccer, without
presenting a comprehensive digest of the rules and tactics etc. There are some obvious cross-overs between
each of the documents, but feel free to browse and use these documents to support you understanding and the
development of players coming into the sport.

This document will illustrate the opportunities that exist to enable the presented mission statement to be
fulfilled. If there are any questions relating to the information provided here within or coach/player pathways
please contact the technical team at Alberta Soccer.

Grassroots Community Soccer: Active for Life Soccer Guide 3

“THE ALBERTA WAY”
The principle objective of this document is to offer a standard guide to support the many players, parents,
coaches and administrators that promote the game at a Grassroots level of participation. It is recognized that
this entry level of participation is critical for the players and game as a whole, where all those introduced to the
game may be offered the opportunity of nurturing a lifelong passion for the sport.

Therefore this guide should be used to promote a standardized program of play across Alberta, in the hope that
when players from different clubs, associations, districts and regions of the Province come together; they have
all been afforded the same opportunities and framework within which to participate. All current coach and
player programs are being aligned with the Canadian Soccer Association model of Long Term Player
Development. This is a framework that was developed by Sport Canada as Long Term Athlete Development and
provides guidance to support children and adults in terms of their physical, tactical, technical and psychological
development. For further information on the model of Long Term Player Development please visit:

www.canadasoccer.com/wellness-to-world-cup

7-Stages of LTAD 7-Stages of LTPD

Grassroots Community Soccer: Active for Life Soccer Guide 4

STAGE 7 – ACTIVE FOR LIFE (>U14 FEMALE/MALE) Soccer Guide
Active for life is where every soccer player aspires to return. Whether players progress through the excellence
stream or remain in grassroots soccer, it is hoped that they retain the passion and desire to pursue soccer as
their sport of choice. Active for Life includes youth players from the U14 age group through to Masters’
competitions. This phase also encompasses the many different game formats, from 11 v 11 games, to beach
soccer, futsal and the indoor game that is evident in Alberta.

THE GAME
This manual will focus on the outdoor game in terms of field requirements and coaching, but recognition in all
game formats is that the coaching and playing should reflect the needs of the players’, their maturity and
level/mode of competition. There are significant differences in some game formats and approaches and these
should be acknowledged in supporting the game.

In addition to a variety of game formats are the reasons for playing soccer; some considerations for playing
within the Active for Life stage are to be active, to socialize, to have fun, to compete or as a challenge for
oneself. Some notable differences will also be related to gender, where females tend to present a more social
focused appeal for the game and males are more task oriented. This is a generalisation as with a rise in
competitive levels and stakes, there will be some female teams (College/AMSL teams) who will be as
competitive in their outlook as male teams. Therefore the essence in supporting soccer within the Active for Life
stage is to recognize why the players are pursuing a particular level of competition and ensure your coaching
support reflects their desires.

TEAM SIZES

U13> 11 V 11 (includes goalkeeper) 12 Min - 20 Max Community or Competitive

FIELD SIZE
Age Group Min Length Min Width Max Length Max Width
U13> 90 metres 45 metres 120 metres 90 metres

GOAL SIZES

U13> 8 ft / 2.44m 24ft / 7.32m None

Grassroots Community Soccer: Active for Life Soccer Guide 5

BALL SIZE
Players should use a regulation size five ball. These would be available through a reputable sports store.

RECOMMENDED PRACTICE TIME

75-90 minutes of practice time.

There should be balanced game, practice and recovery periods throughout the season.

RECOMMENDATIONS
As indicated there are many game variations within Active for Life and as many reasons why the players
continue to pursue their desire to play. A consideration for supporting players within this stage of development
is to recognize the team or players’ motive and support them from this perspective.

A further consideration of active involvement within the Active for Life Stage, is that this should not exclusively
reflect playing the game. Soccer, as many sports, is promoted through a large volunteer base of coaches,
officials, and administrators. Without such volunteers many players would not be afforded the opportunity to
pursue the sport within a competitive or recreational environment. Therefore focus within this important stage
should not be just towards playing the game, but also promoting the game to all within grassroots. Consider the
experience and qualities you possess and seek opportunities to utilize these within the game. Could you become
a coach to a junior team, or referee in a competitive league? There are many administrators needed to help
promote the game through marketing, fund-raising, or tournament planning.

In essence the Active for Life stage is where all areas of the soccer community come together to grow the sport
for future generations. The important consideration is to use the skills base you have and never over-reach your
level of expertise to where the sport is at a detriment to you and itself. The game ultimately is about players,
and players require support in order to play, not so volunteers may progress their career of sphere of influence.

It is also important to remember that Long Term Player Development is not necessarily a progressive route,
some players may be entering or re-entering the sport within the Active for Life stage. They may have been
introduced to a local recreational league as a way to keep fit and socialize, while other players may have
pursued soccer within their childhood. This recognition supports the point that soccer is growing in Canada and
drawing its appeal across all sectors of the community, and those who promote the game should recognise and
support this.

PLAYERS PERSPECTIVE
Our quality of life is defined by how we choose to spend our leisure time. Whether this be reading, gardening or
playing soccer. For many soccer players this maybe a weekly commitment of one game per week or a game and
practice 3 times per week. The level of competition will also carry different demands on the players’
commitment. The essence of commitment for any player is to ask why they choose to play soccer? This is a key
consideration many athletes need to address, but will also provide them with the motive and desire to continue
enjoying their participation or seek alternative avenues for their time.

Grassroots Community Soccer: Active for Life Soccer Guide 6

Whatever rationale for playing the game, it is important that it is always pursued within the spirit of the game
and soccer community. Whether a youth league or competitive master’s league, the game is the essence of the
player’s week, but it should not be to the detriment of soccer, but a celebration of their week and an
opportunity to challenge themselves fairly against other like-minded players. Therefore all support should be
aimed at supporting this perspective of providing a fun and challenging environment within the spirit of the
game.

COACH’S PERSPECTIVE
Coaching in Active for Life can be very rewarding, where there are many competitive leagues and opportunities
for coaches to challenge their development against other teams. There also remain areas for skill development
to be worked upon. As indicated there is a need to recognize why players are playing and matching the coach’s
expectations with the players.

Primary areas for technical coaching within this stage of development could be within older youth teams and
female teams. Many female players may be entering or returning to the sport after family commitments and
therefore seek the support and technical development aspect from coaching. While an adult competitive team
may desire someone to take control and lead the team selections and direction of play in relation to tactics.
There are lots of opportunities for coaches to develop and challenge their coaching ability. It is also true to say
that although not every grassroots coach may aspire to become a professional coach, most professional
coaches, would have started out within grassroots soccer at some level.

SESSION PLANS
In terms of coaching session plans it is important to recognize the level of competition and skill set the players
possess. Practice times are recommended for between 75-90 minutes, this allows for elements of fitness,
technical support and game related drills. Some adult teams demand a fitness component within the drills. A
further option is for the technical drills to command a high tempo and need for fitness development. The social
component of practice times is also important and should be built into any session. These are recreational teams
and the players attend because they just want to play the game. Coaches should never forsake a game
opportunity within a practice; it is what all players, regardless of age want to do: “play the game”.

In developing a supportive session plan, look at the players and ensure the drills meet their needs and support
their development. Some coaches seek to develop a session plan they may have observed another team/coach
perform or gathered from the internet? There should be no one size fits all, and the skill of a coach is to deliver a
session that meets the needs of your team and also reflects the competitive environment in which they
compete.

Grassroots Community Soccer: Active for Life Soccer Guide 7